02-23-2022 Primetime Living - Flipbook - Page 20
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A Special Advertising Section of Baltimore Sun Media Group | Wednesday, February 23, 2022
CONTINUING CARE
Yes, you can
age in place
Community for Life program
provides security and safety
By Margit B. Weisgal, Contributing Writer
H
ere’s something to think about. You’re aging, no longer as spry as you once in place safely. Dina and her team do the
were, but doing pretty well. All things being equal, you like your home, you like
your neighborhood, you know the people around you, where the shops you like
are located, and have little or no desire to move to some retirement community. Then
you discover there’s a program that allows you remain there easily, that helps with the
little things (and some big ones), picks up the slack, and makes it effortless to ask for
occasional assistance.
The program that does all of that – and
more – exists and it’s called Community
for Life (CFL), created by Maryland’s
Department of Aging and managed by
non-profits. All Marylanders 60 years and
older are eligible to “Live Well, Age Well
and Be Well.”
“The Community for Life Program is
now available in nearly half of Maryland’s
counties,” says Rona Kramer, Secretary
of the Maryland Department of Aging.
“And they are eager to serve you.”
In Baltimore City, it’s known as
Maryland Community For Life at Keswick
(https://choosekeswick.org/communityfor-life/). Susan Bender, Keswick’s vice
president for community health says, “It
assists folks who want to age in place
in their homes. That’s where they thrive,
where they feel better, for as long as
possible, and as safe as possible. We
start with a home safety assessment.
This gives us, and them, a lot of insight
into their environment, their homes, what
changes may need to be made if they
want to remain living there in a safe way.”
Lisa Ghinger joined CFL and can’t say
enough good things about it. “They offer
a tremendous number of programs and
services. It’s a different type of dialogue
as they seem to anticipate your needs.
None of us want to ask for help, but,
with CFL, you have an option that’s not
a family member. You call and they find
someone to do it. When I needed physical therapy, I couldn’t find anyone to take
me. Now, they show up, on time, and
take me where I want to go.”
Maria Darby, Keswick’s chief operating officer, discussed how Community
For Life at Keswick works. “We’re serving all of Baltimore City plus Towson and
Pikesville, so for the home assessment
and handyman services, we’re dealing
with a wide variety of differences in
housing construction. We’ve partnered
with Home Safe Home to see what CFL
members need in order for them to age
initial home review, pointing out areas of
risk and shares what needs to be done to
be safe, like shower bars in the bathroom,
removing loose rugs and clutter, problems
with stairs, railings. Members receive a list
of items, detailing upgrades that should
happen and together we figure out what
can wait and what are the CFL members’
priorities. The choice is always theirs.”
Keswick has partnered with other local
non-profits to provide extensive services to CFL members. The core services
include:
• Home assessment. CFL member
safety is paramount, so an initial
home assessment is done when
someone joins. Handyman services
are included on an as-needed basis
to change lightbulbs, hang pictures
or make small repairs.
• Home maintenance. Helps the resident maintain the value of the home
while keeping him or her safe –
housekeeping, snow removal, grass
cutting, decluttering. In addition to
the handyman services, CFL members have access to a vetted list of
contractors who can provide more
extensive modifications or safety
upgrades.
• Physical wellbeing. In Baltimore,
CFL members have access to
Keswick’s Wise & Well Center for
Healthy Living “to pursue their
health and well-being goals. It offers
classes, coaching, and personalized
services across multiple dimensions
of wellness.”
• Transportation: AIM (Action in
Maturity) and other transportation providers will get you where
you need to go, such as a doctor’s
appointment, to the grocery store
or a pharmacy. Anecdotally, some
members no longer needed Meals
on Wheels because now they can
shop for groceries. You can even get
transportation to community or family events.
• Service navigator.
Jeanee Wiscovitch acts as a coordinator or concierge that members
can call for information or assistance. She’s an expert on programs
resources and services members
can tap.
“For a good life,” Darby says, “there
are three keys to well-being: Believing in
something bigger than yourself; having a
purpose, a reason to get out of bed in the
morning; someone who cares that you get
up each day; and being physically capable
so you can stay in your home. CFL is your
extra hand so you can live your best life,
do what you love, and get rid of the things
that are a hassle.”
“You still have to adjust to getting
older,” Ghinger says, “and this is a proactive way to do it. In the past, you were told
Age in place, continued on page 30
